(092112)

Time
Line - Signs of the Times - Storm Warning

The FOUR Horsemen & Direction of
Final Global Changes

The Scriptures
give a view to the future. Likewise,this window provides a view toward
a vision that is forward looking. Beyond mere speculation there are signs
revealing humanity's current direction in time. John's (New Covenant writer)
view to a revelation of Messiah in a time yet to come meshes well with what
Daniel (Old Covenant writer) recorded centuries earlier.

Today in the twenty-first
century there is a convergence of conditions that declare we are facing the
events described in the prophetic writings of John and Daniel. The image is
initially of horsemen we may see only figuratively, but the result associated
with each of four horsemen to come in succession is literal.

Before
we come to verse 6 of John's account, three horses have galloped into
our presence. Each bears an instrument of God's wrath and each has ridden
off to bring terror and judgment on the earth. Now in verse 7, one of
God's appointed emissaries steps forward at the command, "Come!" A new
page is thrown open to reveal the fourth horse and its grim rider. In
the verses that follow John writes, "I looked, and there before me was
a pale horse!" (Revelation 6:8). The word in Greek is chloros.
William Barclay, the late great Scottish professor at Glasgow University,
calls it is the color of a face "blanched with terror." Moffatt says
the horse was the bloodless color of a corpse. We use the root of this
ancient Greek word when we describe the color of chlorine gas, a pale,
sickly green. At the moment John's eyes were confronted with a terrifying
sight. Seated on the pale horse was a rider "named Death, and Hades
was following close behind him" (Revelation 6:8). Graham, Storm Warning, page 228

Photo
of storm by Mike Hollingshead, copyrighted image used here with permission
granted by Mr. Hollingshead and by www.extremeinstability.com.

So often the media
portray the biblical end time in grandiose terms. Utter destruction of everything
... all is laid to waste. But frankly, the horsemen come at the beginning
of the last seven year period written into Daniel's time
line (link to PDF file). The horsemen
are a sign and a storm. They execute God's judgment, but they come at a time
when humans still have choice. It's in terms of crisis made literal by these
horsemen that we may choose to recognize God is real, He is here.

Global Changes
Bring In The End Time Era

As the horses
ride, the events may appear simply as a consequence to humanity's prior inability
to counter worrisome global problems. Now problems are compounded!

It is
important to realize that horrors unleashed by the four horsemen have
a compounding effect. The first horse is not replaced by the second
and so on; rather, the first is joined by the second, then by the
third, and then the fourth. The rider who brings pestilence and death
is accompanied by each of the others we have already observed. The
combined effect of the four horsemen is devastating. Graham, Storm Warning, page 229

The progression
of global events may also help some people to see the validity of the biblical
text. Match the text and nature of events to see convergence—as problems
compound . To discern or clearly see the relationship paves a way to open
a relationship with God. The present timeline is going to meet an end of sorts—an
interruption or transition—before the entire earth stage is reset (and
time restarts again).

God's Allowance
and Righteousness

The
plagues, diseases, famines, and wars of our day should arouse the
world not only to righteous action but to repent of their sins and
turn to God while there is still time. John's words make it clear
that they exist to awaken humanity to obedience. The Bible teaches
that peoples and nations are bringing this pain upon themselves by
their secular outlook, hatred, and violence. God has chosen to allow
men and women to reap what they sow, to help them learn the lesson
that sin brings pain. God does not condone abortion; He deplores it,
but He allows it to happen. God does not infect people with herpes,
AIDS, or other diseases. They do it to themselves; God only allows
it. Graham, Storm
Warning, page 245

When the timeline is
reset, the conditions stated above may still be possible, but so much will
have changed that, as the Bible indicates, a true peace will prevail. The
woes of the past age will be gone. But until such a time arrives, we see all
the conditions mounting—those fitting what Yeshua (Jesus) described in
Matthew 24 and 25 (see related article on
Global
Problems for additional details concerning
these conditions).

Hope For The World

Almost
every headline, every television news report, and every radio bulletin
these days proclaims one essential truth: The modern world is in chaos
and no one has a realistic solution. Wherever you look today there
are storm clouds of anger and outrage. There is violence, abuse, and
unhappiness swirling about us. We see crime and unrest in the inner
city, and the economy is dangerously out of control. The whole world
is crying out for some word of hope, but all we hear is the babble
of wishful thinkers and charlatans. Psychologists, educators, social
scientists, physicians, and media wizards of every stripe offer pronouncements
and preachments, but even the best ideas generally collapse under
closer scrutiny. So far, our modern secular society has produced no
positive answers; yet we continue to reach out in hope.

Today's
headlines are God's warning to a sinful world. The television news
flashes are a shadow of His loving hand at work, pushing for the world's
redemption. The radio bulletins are a reminder that in spite of our
compulsive determination to ruin the earth and destroy God's program
of salvation, He has not given up on us completely. Until that day
when God's final judgment affixes each of us into place for eternity,
there is a chance to begin again. Jesus said, "You must be born again"
(John 3:7). That is the last best hope for this world. Ultimately
it is our only hope. Graham, Storm Warning, page 249

The term 'born again'
seems a mystery to so many people. But in reality the moment of rebirth is
very much like the cartoon character who "gets the idea" and that
little "light goes on" in the mind. A spiritual link is made between
what one sees in the world and the truth and context of the Scriptures. Being
self absorbed, self centered, or simply immersed in sinful life style prevents
such a rebirth. Working on an objective view on life and exploring who and
what we are opens the window and makes rebirth possible. But there is only
so much time to "get it" and to see truth within the big picture
(i.e., the holistic view).

Being Separate
From God

Death
is tragic but inevitable. The Bible tells us that what we must fear
is the second death, which is eternal judgment and separation from
God. That is the ultimate tragedy. If we were two-dimensional beings
who had total mortality but no immortality, death would simply end
our earthly existence. But the everlasting separation from God is
a penalty far worse than the most tortured physical death and something
no man, woman, or child should ever have to experience. Graham, Storm Warning, page 251

The proposition in—and
purpose to—life is making a choice. Choosing to make a relationship with
God is making a decision with an eternal consequence. Not making any decision
is in itself a default choice for eternal separation from God. Death terminates
the opportunity for choice. Death locks you into what ever disposition you've
placed yourself in. No one, no one, can choose for you, no one can
change the disposition once you are gone.

[Editorial Note: A
faith based on Mormonism would say one can be baptized or even married for
eternity's sake after death. As Norman Geisler makes clear, Mormons make an
improper interpretation of the Scriptures to arrive at this conclusion. See
Geisler and Howe's book: When
Critics Ask page 464 for appropriate
discussion.]

What is the future?

Do you see the signs?

Do you see the storms coming?

The importance to global change is in looking at how social, biological, and physical sciences all reveal data and signs for more ominous changes in the near future. This is change in every aspect of human and earthly affairs ... globally. The Window looks further to see change as a backdrop to a biblical timeline. Driving forces for change force us to ask the most important questions about our true origin, who we are, why we are here, and what the Scriptures tell us about the future. Change forces us to look deeper to face choice or crisis. Life is an opportunity to look for the answers.

Billy
Graham is well known the world over for his work in spreading the
biblical message of salvation.(www.billygraham.org)

Please
Note! We are presenting a number of quotations in the "Signs of the
Times" series that are taken from their original context. So
Be Aware ... the impact of these statements is only heightened and intensified
by a reading of the original text cited below. WindowView serves to reflect
many original sources and in this case we highly recommend a reading of
the entire book used as a source here! The 'Signs' are woefully important
to revealing humanity's future, reading these quotations in their original
context makes this point all the more clear!

For a general listing of books, visit the WindowView Book Page for: Science and Scripture .

Step Up To Life

Time spent looking ... through a window on life and choice ... brings the opportunity to see in a new light. The offer for you to Step Up To Life is presented on many of the web pages at WindowView. Without further explanation we offer you the steps here ... knowing that depending on what you have seen or may yet explore in the window ... these steps will be the most important of your life ...